Blue Sky Fibers Cookies and Cream Cardi Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Cookies and Cream Cardi: Toddler Cardigan Sweater

What is Being Made

The Cookies and Cream Cardi is a toddler cardigan sweater designed for sizes 18 months through 4T. This button-front cardigan features a stand-up collar and five buttons, making it easy for both children and caregivers to put on and take off. The garment is suitable for both girls and boys and is part of the Tiny Tots Collection by Blue Sky Fibers, designed by Sys Fredens.

Finished Measurements

• Circumference: 23 (25, 27, 29) inches across sizes
• Length: 11½ (12½, 13, 14) inches
• Sleeve length to underarm: 8 (9, 10, 11) inches

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create a well-constructed garment. Short row shaping is used on the front bands to keep them neat and tidy. The cardigan is worked primarily in Fisherman's Rib, a textured stitch pattern that creates a thick, fabric-like appearance. The ribbed sections use K1, P1 Rib for edging and finishing. The pattern requires working with circular needles and incorporates standard shaping techniques including increases and decreases to achieve proper fit across the multiple size options.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Fisherman's Rib, which uses a combination of knit stitches worked into the row below and purl stitches to create its distinctive textured appearance. This is complemented by K1, P1 Rib used for collar, cuffs, and hem sections. Additional stitches employed include basic knit and purl stitches, along with increase techniques such as kfb (knit into front and back of stitch) and m1 (make one), which are essential for shaping the garment to fit different toddler sizes.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed specifically for use with Spud & Chloë Sweater yarn in worsted weight. The yarn is a blend of 55% superwash wool and 45% organic cotton, offering durability and easy care for children's garments. The pattern requires 3 (4, 4, 4) hanks of yarn, with each hank containing 100 grams and 160 yards. A Size 8 (5mm) 32-inch circular needle is used to knit the garment, or a size adjusted as needed to obtain the correct gauge. Five 1-inch buttons are required for the front closure, along with stitch holders or waste yarn for managing stitches during construction and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches when worked in Fisherman's Rib. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the finished measurements to match the intended sizes.

Difficulty Level

While labeled as beginner-friendly in terms of overall construction, this pattern is noted as intermediate experience level within the pattern itself. The Fisherman's Rib stitch pattern and short row shaping techniques require some knitting experience, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with more textured stitch patterns and shaping methods.